In the southern part of the island lie the remains of the 01(1 city, including an extensive temple precinct. Tue German Archaeological Institute has been conducting excavations here for a number of years now (see plan); they have been able to uncover part of the Old Kingdom city, including part of the wall and a gateway, and have done a lotof work on the reconstruction of the two main temples, that of Khnum and Satet. Like most temples of ancient Egypt, these have a long history during which they were often renovated, restored or rebuilt. The temples of Khnum and Satet were last rebuilt byNektanebos Ii and extended by Ptolemaic and Roman rulers. The temple of Satet is of particular interest since its history can be traced back to the early Old Kingdom and its various stages can be reconstructed up to the last major rebuilding under Nektanebos II. (See diagram showing various building phases).

In the 6 - 5 centuries BC the town had a Jewish military colony with a temple ofJahu, (who is associated with the Canaanite god Beth-El), in which Aramaic papyri were discovered, which throw light onthe tensions that existed between the Jcws arid the native I gyptians. ‘ilie priests of Khnum, who were offended by the custom of the Jews to cat the pascal lami), destroyed the temple of jahu; Darius II. ordered its reconstruction. The cult of Jahu wasi-athcr dilferent to that oI in the Jewish homeland; it shows influence of Egyptian religion — like Khnum, two female (leities were associated with Jahu/Beth-El - Anat-Jahu/Beth-El, and Asham-Beth-El.